# NTSB LAX77FUQ39: Thorp T-18, N56LU, Van Nuys, CA, July 8, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 8, 1977
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · VAN NUYS, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUQ39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUQ39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1868   77/7/8    VAN NUYS,CA         THORP T-18          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 450
        TIME - 1610                    N56LU               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VAN NUYS,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TRIED TO RET TO FLD. LOST CTL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56LU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56LU-1977-11-01), registration cancelled 1977-11-01, S/N 38 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THORP T-18
- Registry model: [Thorp T-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorp-t-18) (registry code 89510TJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Van Nuys

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19770708024279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770708024279A), Jul 8, 1977: Amtr 8951070, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to ret to fld. Lost ctl.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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